When you work a job earning $15 per hour, your paycheck is the same regardless of how much effort you put into it. With Medicare sales, you sell a policy and receive an initial commission (let’s say $500), and then every year that you retain that client you receive ½ of the commission AGAIN in monthly payments.
Full Answer
Is selling Medicare supplements the best way to sell Medicare products?
Some agents believe selling Medicare Supplements is the superior way to sell Medicare products. What’s your take on that? Is there one that’s better to sell than the other? Should you sell both?
Can you make money selling Medicare Advantage insurance?
If you’re selling life insurance, if you don’t sell you don’t make any money. In the Medicare Advantage sales side of things, you can take the foot off the gas and make ongoing commission simply by maintaining your book of business. Selling Medicare Advantage insurance, you don’t make a ton upfront.
How many Medicare Advantage policies should a new agent sell?
My magic number of total Medicare Advantage policy sales for new agents is 500. I tell my agents, “Wait till you get to 500. At 500, you’ve built a pension!” At 500 policies, you make a little more than $10,000 a month. And even better, you can handle the book alone because the service work is minimal.
How many people are eligible to sell Medicare insurance?
What this means when it comes to Medicare insurance sales is that one in every seven people, the equivalent of 15.2% of the population, meets Medicare age qualifications. To have a lucrative business, you need two things:
Is there money in selling Medicare?
When it comes to making money selling Medicare, there are two main ways you can earn income which include commissions and residual income. A commission or initial payment is the money you receive when a client enrolls in a new plan. This payment is paid to you directly from the insurance carrier.
What is the commission on Medicare?
A recent report indicates that first-year commissions for enrollments in Medigap are approximately 20 percent of annual premiums, but they can vary based on the state or plan type. The commission for subsequent years (i.e., the renewal commission) is set at 10 percent of the premium.
Is selling Medicare insurance a good career?
Medicare agents have significant earning potential and a promising future of stable career growth – but it's not just about the money. Medicare agents also get to help others while taking control of their own careers. For the right person, Medicare sales can be a very rewarding and lucrative career.
What is Medicare buyback?
The Medicare Part B give back is a benefit specific to some Medicare Advantage Plans. This benefit covers up to the entire Medicare Part B premium amount for the policyholder. The give back benefit can be a great way for beneficiaries to save, as the premium is deducted from their Social Security checks each month.
Do Medicare agents get residuals?
As an insurance agent, you need a residual income base to create a career with long-term sustainability. Medicare can be that residual income.
How do you make money selling Medicare Advantage plans?
5 Tips for Selling Medicare Advantage Plans5 Tips for Selling Medicare Advantage Plans. ... Get Certified and “Ready-to-Sell” Next Year's Plans ASAP. ... Offer Different Types of Plans and Different Carriers. ... Have Your Own Lead-Generating, Direct Enroll Website. ... Stay Up to Date on the Rules.More items...•
What are the three main ways in which Medicare sales occur?
There are three different types of Medicare products sold by agents and brokers: Medicare Supplement plans (Also called Medigap plans), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D Rx plans.
What license do I need to sell Medicare insurance in Florida?
The 2-15 agents license allows an agent to sell all forms of Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Medicare Supplement, HMO, Home Health Care, Managed Care and Long Term Care policies in Florida.
How do you qualify to get $144 back from Medicare?
How do I qualify for the giveback?Are enrolled in Part A and Part B.Do not rely on government or other assistance for your Part B premium.Live in the zip code service area of a plan that offers this program.Enroll in an MA plan that provides a giveback benefit.
How do I get my Medicare premium refund?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you think you may be owed a refund on a Medicare premium. Some Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans reimburse members for the Medicare Part B premium as one of the benefits of the plan. These plans are sometimes called Medicare buy back plans.
How does Medicare Part B give back work?
With a Medicare give back plan, the insurance company actually pays a portion of your Part B premium. So not only do you not pay a Medicare Advantage premium, but your Part B premium goes down by the giveback amount.
What Is Medicare Advantage?
DD: I’d like to start with the basics, Luis. I’m sure there are a lot of people who have heard about Medicare, maybe they’re brand new agents or so...
Is Medicare Advantage A Tough Sell?
DD: When I started in final expense sales, I saw many Medicare Advantage prospects, but I never sold any Medicare Advantage plans.Why? Because agen...
How To Get Certified To Sell Medicare Advantage Plans?
DD: What’s the process for somebody who wants to learn how to become a Medicare Advantage insurance agent?You have to do more than getting your ins...
What Happens After AHIP?
Once you get that AHIP done then you’ve done about 70% of your required certifications.Each carrier that you’re appointed with wants to make sure t...
What Are The Long-Term Benefits Of Selling Medicare Insurance?
DD: What would you describe as the long-term advantages selling Medicare Advantage plans as your primary line of business?LM: When you’re doing cro...
Commission For Selling Medicare Advantage Plans?
DD: A lot of agents are looking at this like we’ve talked about it from a final expense standpoint.They’re used to getting pretty high first year c...
How Long Would It Take To Write 500 Sales?
DD: How long do you think it would take to write 500 pieces of business? Somebody who’s serious about this business, they’re full-time, they really...
Can You Cross Sell?
DD: When we look at new Medicare Advantage clients, ones that we found or wrote from maybe one of these referral partners, what’s the guidelines on...
When Can You Sell Medicare Advantage?
DD: A lot of agents look at the Medicare Advantage business and think they can only sell these products when the person turns 65 and then if not, o...
Why Sell Medicare Advantage Plans?
Typically, insurance carriers offer higher commissions for MA plans than Medicare Supplements or Part D plans.
How to Sell Medicare Advantage Plans
Before you can start selling Medicare Advantage plans, you must receive the proper training, licensing, and certifications. Check with your state’s department of insurance to learn about state-specific requirements. After you’re licensed, the next step is marketing your services.
When Can I Sell Medicare Advantage?
Many Medicare-eligibles have restrictions on when they can enroll in new plans. You need to know the specifics of each enrollment period and how they apply to your clients.
Selling Medicare Advantage Over the Phone
You may have heard that you can sell Medicare Supplements over the phone, but you want to know how to sell Medicare Advantage plans over the phone.
How Much Can I Make Selling Medicare Advantage Plans?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) sets maximum compensation amounts that carriers can pay agents for sales. Click here to read more about agent compensation.
Important Terms to Know When Selling Medicare Advantage Plans
You want to answer clients’ questions with confidence, so it’s important to know the terms they’ll ask about. Here are some common terms beneficiaries will ask about:
Start Selling Medicare Advantage Insurance Today
Selling Medicare Advantage plans can be a lucrative career. At Senior Market Advisors, we give our agents tools for success such as extensive training so you can answer questions with confidence.
What is the difference between Medicare Supplement and Advantage?
As long as you’ve done that you’ve done your CYA. The other difference between a Supplement and an Advantage plan is you have a prescription portion. So you’ve got to sell a prescription drug plan with a Medicare Supplement.
What is the age limit for Medicare?
LM: When somebody has Medicare they’re normally 65 and over. You do have a segment of the population under 65 that get Medicare who are usually disabled. Once someone is on Medicare they have two options – Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement. There’s not a good or a bad option, there is simply two options.
What is the certification test for Medicare Advantage?
Selling Medicare Advantage plans, you get a contract with a carrier, but once you’re contracted with that carrier every year that you are in Medicare Advantage sales, you’re going to have to take a certification test called AHIP. A lot of people freak out, “Oh, it’s so hard.”. Well, it’s Medicare 101. You need to know the product that you’re ...
Can you door knock Medicare Advantage?
Now in the Medicare Advantage world if you don’t have permission to contact you’re not supposed to contact. You can’t door knock for Medicare Advantage, so you’ve got to wait for it to come to you, but you can put a lot of honey out there to attract the bees.
Does Medicare Advantage include prescriptions?
For Medicare Advantage a prescription plan is included. The copays per carrier are probably different, but they function the same way. All you’ve got to do is pull up the formulary, which is usually in a PDF and just do the search for the medications and make sure they’re in there.
Can you make a ton upfront selling Medicare Advantage?
Selling Medicare Advantage insurance, you don’t make a ton upfront.
Can you sell Medicare Advantage plans?
The unique thing about selling Medicare Advantage plans is that you don’t get to sell a product unless you’ve passed tests and meet knowledge requirements. LM: Correct. Further, you may have face-to-face training requirements before selling. You’ll be in a room of other new agents.
How does Medicare Advantage work?
Agents selling Medicare Advantage and Part D plans get a flat dollar amount of money per application. This comes to them in the form of initial commissions and renewal commissions. Carriers pay out initial commissions when an agent makes a new sale or when the beneficiary enrolls in a new, “unlike” plan (different type). Each year and beyond, carriers pay out renewal commissions to the agent if the beneficiary remains enrolled in the plan or enrolls in a new, “like” plan (same type).
Do carriers pay agents?
It’s important for agents to know that carriers pay agents and FMOs separately. Your relationship with an FMO is comparable to your clients’ relationship with you.
Do insurance carriers have to pay Medicare Advantage commissions?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) set the maximum broker commissions for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D annually; however, insurance carriers aren’t required to pay these amounts. What you earn for Medicare Advantage and PDP sales could be less, depending on the carrier and your contract with them.
What to do when selling Medicare supplements?
When you sell Medicare supplements from home, you need to offer a variety of products to meet each beneficiary’s needs. This includes supplement products, prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage products, and ancillary products. Ensure the products you are offering benefit the client, not a push for your pocketbook.
How many Americans have Medicare Advantage?
Ambition to put forth the effort to make sales. About 1/3 of Americans obtain their Medicare through Medicare Advantage Plans. The other 2/3 of the eligible persons have original Medicare, and about 81% of those enroll in supplement coverage.
How to remain independent with Medicare?
To remain independent, you will likely need to obtain your insurance company contracts through a Medicare Insurance FMO. An FMO will work to obtain the best contracts for you to sell clients. Their support in finding you the best product to offer frees your time to meet clients and close sales.
How many clients does Medicare have?
Your income is only limited by the time you put into working. On average, a Medicare insurance agent in business for five (5) years has around 400-500 clients.
What is Medicare Advantage?
One of the benefits is the sale of Medicare Advantage or a Medicare supplement that provides you with a residual income for years. This is a passive income you enjoy the benefit of from every sale. Working as an independent agent means the commissions pay directly to you.
How many people will be on Medicare in 2060?
Projections are that by 2060 there will be 98 million people in that age range. The estimation is 21.1 million over age 85 in 2030. What this means when it comes to Medicare insurance sales is that one in every seven people, the equivalent of 15.2% of the population, meets Medicare age qualifications.
What is the difference between captive and independent agents?
If you plan to hang out a shingle and run your own business, independent is the way to go. A captive agent works for a company or agency. They must sell only the products that the company offers, limiting your options.
What is Medicare quoting engine?
2. Medicare Quoting Tool / Online Quoting Engine - A Quoting Engine makes it easier for agents. to have access to accurate, up-to-date pricing and plan details for the nations top senior.
Do you need certification for Medicare Supplement?
Medicare supplement products however, do not require any additional certifications beyond your state’s licensing requirements.
What happens to a broker if they don't comply with Medicare?
Agents/brokers are subject to rigorous oversight by their contracted health or drug plans and face the risk of loss of licensure with their State and termination with their contracted health or drug plans if they don't comply with strict rules related to selling to and enrolling Medicare beneficiar ies in Medicare plans.
What is agent broker compensation?
Below is a link to a file containing the amounts that companies pay independent agents/brokers to sell their Medicare drug and health plans. Companies that contract with Medicare to provide health care coverage or prescription drugs typically use agents/brokers to sell their Medicare plans to Medicare beneficiaries.
When do brokers receive initial payment?
Generally, agents/brokers receive an initial payment in the first year of the policy (or when there is an “unlike plan type” enrollment change) and half as much for years two (2) and beyond if the member remains enrolled in the plan or make a “like plan type” enrollment change.
Do brokers have to be licensed in the state they do business in?
Agents/brokers must be licensed in the State in which they do business, annually complete training and pass a test on their knowledge of Medicare and health and prescription drug plans, and follow all Medicare marketing rules.
Selling Medicare Basics
Before you can start selling any type of Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, you’ll need to first complete these requirements:
Who Is Your Target Market?
While checking off your certifications, you can start honing in on your selling strategy. The first step is narrowing in on who you’re selling to. Baby boomers, yes. But to really sell effectively, get into their mindset and view the sales from their perspective.
Why Medicare Advantage?
Understanding the value proposition behind Medicare Advantage will be key in closing your sales. Generally, the major selling point of Medicare Advantage plans is that they have no or low monthly premiums and they cover more than what Original Medicare does However, the mark of a savvy agent is the ability to peel apart the plan benefits and apply what’s relevent to the specific person they’re servicing..
Medicare Compliance
The Medicare industry has a strict set of compliance standards to protect consumers. Knowing and following these rules is a must for all Medicare agents.
Set Yourself Up for Success
The Medicare market is an intricate one to navigate. You can take the guesswork out of selling Medicare products by teaming up with an experienced partner.
Selling your home could lead to higher Medicare premiums if your taxable income sees a boost
Although your Medicare benefits shouldn't change when you sell your home, your monthly premiums may. It depends on whether the sale of your home affects your taxable income.
What Is the High-Earner Threshold?
Medicare considers you a high earner if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $91,000 per year if you file your taxes as a single, or $182,000 for married couples filing jointly.
How Does Selling Your Home Affect Medicare Premiums?
The capital gains tax may apply when you make a profit on an investment, which includes the sale of real estate. Luckily, the IRS does allow you to exclude a portion of your capital gains on real estate.
When Can't You Take Advantage of Capital Gains Exclusions?
It wouldn't be the U.S. tax code if there weren't limits to the real estate exclusion. If any of the following apply, you will have to pay tax on the whole gain, meaning it will count toward your MAGI:
Appealing the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount
Although Medicare premiums are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the " Initial IRMAA Determination Notice " comes from the Social Security Administration. This notice describes how SSA determined you owe IRMAA and provides information on filing an appeal.
How Long Does IRMAA Apply?
The good news is that an IRMAA determination doesn't mean you owe the high-earner surcharge forever. If your adjusted gross income dropped below the IRMAA threshold, you'll pay the standard Medicare premiums next year.
If I Sell My House, Will I Lose My Medicare Benefits?
Selling your home will not cause you to lose your Medicare benefits. However, if you have a Medicare plan and move to a new address, you may need to change your plan.
Why do people get into the Medicare supplement market?
In sum, there are three great reasons to get into the Medicare Supplement market: There are lots of prospects. Medicare is standardized. There's a built-in need for a secondary insurance with Medicare. Back to top.
How much does Medicare cover?
Medicare Supplements are standardized. No networks. Medicare covers about 80% , and the supplement covers about 20%. Here are the two plans I'd recommend for you, and here's how they work.
What is the Medicare Part B deductible for 2021?
When you have a Plan G, everything is covered except the Medicare Part B deductible, which is $203 in 2021. There are no other costs – it’s 100% coverage from there.
What to do if you've made it this far?
If you've made it this far, hats off to you . There's a lot of information you need to take in when you're learning about Medicare, but once you've got it down pat, you're off to the races.
Does Medicare Supplements include prescription drug insurance?
Medicare Supplements helps with doctor and hospital costs only – it does not include prescription drug insurance. CMS puts out a publication each year called the Medicare & You Handbook. In the 2019 version, you can refer to pages 69-72 while explaining Medicare Supplements to clients and prospects.
Is Medicare the primary insurance?
Medicare is always going to be the primary insurance. As a general rule of thumb, Medicare is roughly 80% coverage, and the supplement is roughly 20% coverage. Every insurance company has to provide the exact same benefits for each plan.
How Much Does An Insurance Agent Make on Medicare Sales?
Commissions with An FMO vs. Without An FMO
- Carriers pay agents for the business they write, even if those commissions go through an FMO first (scroll down for a note about assigned commissions). It’s important for agents to know that carriers pay agents and FMOs separately. Your relationship with an FMO is comparable to your clients’ relationship with you. You don’t pay anything to the FMO, just like your clients don’t pay a…
A Note About ‘Assigned Commissions’
- Oftentimes, an agent working with an FMO will receive commissions directly from the carrier. In select cases, an FMO may want agents to “assign” them their commissions(e.g., if they provide the agent with leads, advances, etc.). In others, the carrier may require agents to assign their commissions to their FMO (e.g., the carrier only pays direct contracts). When you assign your co…